MBB: Gators fall to Kentucky in regular season finale

What looked so promising just two weeks ago, has completely fallen apart. The Gators men’s basketball team completed the regular season on Saturday with a 66-57 loss at Kentucky.

Florida hung tough and even possessed a 40-39 lead with less than 14 minutes left in regulation.

However, as we’ve seen all season, the Gators let their opponent go on a huge run and put the game out of reach.

This time it was a 15-2 run over the next 9 minutes of play that haunted Florida. Over that time frame the Gators shot just 1-10 and 0-1 from the free throw stripe.

Florida would get no closer than the eight point spread the final score would indicate the remainder of the contest.

With the loss, Florida drops to 17-14 on the season and 9-9 in SEC play. The Gators enter the SEC Tournament on a three game losing streak and will likely need a win or two to play their way into an NCAA bid.

Fast stats:

Kevarrius Hayes had a solid day finishing with 19 points on 8-9 from the floor and grabbed five boards.

Jalen Hudson added 13 points, after earning the start.

Florida made 3-18 from 3-point range.

Kentucky made 26-32 from the charity stripe. The Gators made 6-11 from the line.

What’s next:

Florida will enter the SEC Tournament as a formidable underdog.

Keep posted for a preview of each (hopefully) matchup the Gators face in the postseason.

UPDATE: Florida has clinched the #8 seed in the SEC Tournament. The Gators will face the winner of the Alabama-Arkansas game that takes place on Saturday night.